Before, teams were at a real disadvantage against the Lakers' size. Now, for example, Dallas could throw out Dirk and Kaman and they match their size. Denver could throw out McGee and Mozgov and they match their size. And so on and so forth.

Lakers size advantage w/ Bynum was quickly overrated. As he was entirely overrated as a player as well.

Their size didn't give any teams fits, they lost two opening round playoff series, two years in a row with that "advantage"

Bottom line is Bynum playing alongside Gasol meant their games clashed. Both were low block players, and at times actually congested the lane for their own team on offense.

Bynum on defense provided great rebounding advantage, but given how slow he was and how minute his physical leap is ... teams could take advantage of that by bringing him out more.

Howard is a couple inches shorter, has almost the same wingspan, is a more durable player, faster, quicker, and light years more athletic. D12 will be a vast improvement for the Lakers over Bynum.

Is this a serious post? Dwight Howard is BY FAR, BY FAR the best defensive force in the league, but they were tougher match up with Bynum who wasn't half the defensive player Howard is? What kind of ****ing stupid nonsense is this? Howard is a tower, Bynum is big and slow, Howard is the most athletic GOOD center since David Robinson. He's been a legit power and speed center his entire career. Why do you think he averages so many fta's per shot? Because he's so fast and strong that teams are just forced to foul him. This thread is a god damn joke.

Anyway, I wasn't just talking about height/reach, I meant sheer size/mass. Bynum takes up more space than any player since Shaq, completely closes down the lane. Howard doesn't do that. I've seen enough of DH to know, as an eastern conference fan.

Before, teams were at a real disadvantage against the Lakers' size. Now, for example, Dallas could throw out Dirk and Kaman and they match their size. Denver could throw out McGee and Mozgov and they match their size. And so on and so forth.

If I'm not mistaken, those are Dwight and Bynum's measurements as they were entering the league. I've read throughout the last year that Dwight's reach has "out-lengthed" Bynum's since; when I get home tonight and do some browsing and see if I find a reputable source stating that.

This disadvantage you speak of was virtually non-existent when the most important time of the year arose the last two years. Teams that are athletic would run up and down the court consistently at Bynum's dismay, and would exploit he and the Lakers greatest weakness on defense: pick and roll coverage.

Now in place of him you have the best defender in the league, the best pick and roll defending big man in the league, and the best pick and roll big offensively in the league. The Lakers needed to become more athletically capable both offensively and defensively - they answered their woes with Dwight.

To be honest Perkins being able to guard Dwight is one of the biggest myths in the NBA. He got that rep for one playoff series I believe but Dwight doesn't have his way with him any less than he does everybody else. He still has shot 56-60% whenever perk guarded him over the years and Nash is only going to make Dwight's life even easier.

The reason Perk is considered a good defender for Dwight is because you don't have to help. Dwight's going to get his numbers, but if you have Kendrick Perkins then you'll live with one on one coverage. There's a reason Boston gave Orlando so many fits over the years.

The reason Perk is considered a good defender for Dwight is because you don't have to help. Dwight's going to get his numbers, but if you have Kendrick Perkins then you'll live with one on one coverage. There's a reason Boston gave Orlando so many fits over the years.

Lol at the Lakers being worse by getting a better player. For all of Bynum's strengths he was never consistent with his defense nor could he keep his head in the game at all times. Dwight by himself can change the whole defensive complexity of a team. I've yet to see someone post proof that Dwight plays horribly against Perkins it's just one of those things on the internet that enough people repeat and it somehow becomes gospel. This is actually worse for OKC because defensively Gasol can be the anchor while Dwight is free to roam around on the defense since Perkins is not an offensive threat at all. Lakers should focus on being the best defensive team in the league, the offense will work itself out.